• Flights
  • Hotels
  • Flight+Hotel
  • Cars
  • Holidays
Select your outward journey date
Select your return journey date

United Arab Emirates

  • © gulfimages com / age fotostock

    Dubai, United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates in pictures - Dubai

  • Dubai

    Known as a hedonistic playground for adults, Dubai is indeed the place to be if you've got money to burn. A checklist of top attractions conceived in architects' minds only, the city now boasts real structures that were never considered before. These mighty attractions include the Burj Khalifa, the world's highest building, Atmos.phere, the world's highest bar; in the same complex you'll find the Dubai Wall, the world's largest mall, just out front, is a manmade lake with the world's tallest choreographed fountains. Dubai is one of seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates, and is the biggest emirate city in the country, and has even surpassed the capital, Abu Dhabi. Bordered by the Arabian Sea, Dubai has the advantage of having a long and wide coastline, which doesn't quite recall the rugged beauty of an exotic island, but does the job in the sweltering desert heat. Dubai started out as one of the most avant-garde cities in the world, and a couple of decades down the line, it's just about holding it together as a brilliant parody of itself after crossing a harsh crisis period. However, for travellers that are keen on going beyond Dubai's design nightclubs (Cavalli), towering hotels and champagne-fuelled lifestyle, there is another layer to explore; one of vibrant culture and arts, which should definitely not be missed out on.
    Discover Dubai
previous picture following picture

In brief +

Weekly budget
£400
Flight budget
£300
Flight duration
7h 
Time difference
-6h / -5h
Visa
No
Vaccinations
No
Currency
UAE dirham
Language(s)
arabic

United Arab Emirates :

map United Arab Emirates

Destination overview

It isn't unusual for people to confuse Dubai with Abu Dhabi, and to mistake Dubai for the name of the country. Let's set things straight - Dubai is one of seven emirate cities in the country, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Abu Dhabi is the UAE's capital.

Dubai is the first emirate city to have been put on the map and now, the adult playground, needs no introduction. Abu Dhabi, its older sister, is a little less wild and is more of an administrative and residential emirate city. The next emirate to haul itself onto the tourist map is Ras al-Khaimah due to its orange deserts, blue waters lined by white sand beaches and pearl fishing legacy. Ajman and Sharjah are much smaller emirates and are fairly residential. Umm al-Quwain is also very quiet and offers few specific reasons to visit.

The United Arab Emirates is governed by the equivalent of kings, or Sheikhs, as they are locally known. The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the founding sheikh of the Emirates in 1962, when oil was first discovered in Abu Dhabi. His eldest son, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, succeeded as ruler of Abu Dhabi and per the country's constitution, he also became president of the UAE. Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan succeeded Khalifa as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. In January 2006, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the prime minister of the UAE and the ruler of Dubai, died, and the crown prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum assumed both roles.

The UAE, Bahrain and Qatar, were under British protection and rule until the late 1960s, when the countries were given their independence. It wasn't until 1972 that the seven emirates agreed to form the UAE federation.

pros

  •  The contrast between desert, sea and urban metropolis.
  •  The UAE is one of the safest places in the world.

cons

  •  The unbearable heat in summer (April-September).
  •  You are never far from a building site in most city centres in the UAE.

United Arab Emirates Travel guide

United Arab Emirates Holidays in United Arab Emirates, All you need to know!

Our Editorial team's advice

Although the UAE is one of the most lenient countries in the Gulf, there are strict laws to follow that do not apply back home. It is against the law to bring in any sort of illegal drug, to drink and be drunk in public, to show any sort of affection towards the opposite sex or any sort of homosexual behaviour in public.

Men should avoid wearing sleeveless tops in the city, and women should cover their shoulders and legs and should avoid wearing low-cut tops outside of hotels - otherwise expect unwanted stares in your direction from the locals and the Muslim expatriate communities.

United Arab Emirates : Reasons to go

Compare All our United Arab Emirates Holidays' Offers with Easyvoyage

  • Flights
  • Hotels
  • Flight+Hotel
  • Cars
  • Holidays
Select your outward journey date
Select your return journey date

Advertisement

United Arab Emirates : Places to visit

Best selection of hotels in United Arab Emirates

Hotel watch: Abu Dhabi

Hotel watch: Abu Dhabi

Despite being the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is still a city in waiting. With the Guggenheim and the Louvre outposts opening in 2017, and several other art-based projects in the pipeline, the city lacks an all-round appeal that Dubai already has. Abu Dhabi attracts business travellers ...

More Details

United Arab Emirates in pictures

  • Dubai© gulfimages com / age fotostock

    Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  • Abu Dhabi© gulfimages com / age fotostock

    Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
previous picture following picture full screen
  • Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  • Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
  • The desert : The Rub' al-Khali desert, Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
  • The desert : - United Arab Emirates
  • The desert : - United Arab Emirates
previous picture following picture

United Arab Emirates in pictures

close
    previous picture following picture
    close
     

    Hotel reviews United Arab Emirates

    Have you been to this destination before? Where did you stay? We want to hear about it, so post your review on the EasyOpinions forum for us! Create an opinion
    • The Address Dubai Marina The Address Dubai MarinaThe Address Dubai Marina
      Photo of Sarah Radcliffe

      Sarah Radcliffe 25/07/2011 :

      "Beautiful hotel - looks very grand and everyone's so friendly! The rooms are gorgeous, but the bar can be full of chavs in evenings."

      8/10 More...
    • Al Hamra Village Golf ResortAl Hamra Village Golf Resort
      Photo of susan humphries

      susan humphries 11/03/2011 :

      "Comfortable clean room with a view of the golf course.Main hotel by the sea but the resort is miles from anywhere, an hour from Dubai. "

      7/10 More...
    • Al Qasr Madinat JumeirahAl Qasr Madinat Jumeirah
      Photo of Latika Patel

      Latika Patel 21/10/2010 :

      "Stunning hotel, loved the artificial lake! Over 40 restaurants, we were spoiled...great beach with view of Burj al Arab! Loved gardens!"

      8/10 More...

    Package holidays in United Arab Emirates

    Put your dream holiday together using our holiday price comparator. Compare 575556 holidays from tour operators in just a few clicks.

    Best Travel Deals United Arab Emirates

    Our video on United Arab Emirates

    Our expert United Arab Emirates

    Rooksana Hossenally Section editor

    Travel is my driving force in life, and although I have had the privilege of visiting 30 countries so far, my heart will always remain in India...

    Travel Headlines

    Abu Dhabi Airport launches sleep pods

    However, Abu Dhabi International Airport is the latest of several airports to have opened up a sleeping area for travellers to grab a quick nap between flights. The sleeping areas can be found in Terminals 1 and 3 and are made up of 10 ?Go Sleep? pods, which are essentially chairs that convert into flat beds and include a sliding shade for blocking out noise and light. However, the chairs will soon

    More Details

    Travel News

    Yas Waterworld: Abu Dhabi gets wet

    Yas Waterworld water park has just opened its doors on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi City.

    More Details

    Weather United Arab Emirates

    • Dubai 27°C | 35°C 4 day weather forecast 35°C 36°C 35°C 39°C
    • Sharjah 26°C | 36°C 4 day weather forecast 36°C 37°C 37°C 40°C
    • Al Fujairah 29°C | 35°C 4 day weather forecast 35°C 34°C 34°C 36°C
    • Al Ain 24°C | 35°C 4 day weather forecast 35°C 37°C 39°C 41°C

    Ideal Weather Search

    May

    flight Prices United Arab Emirates

    May : average price

    Hotel Prices United Arab Emirates

    average nightly price

    Package Prices United Arab Emirates

    JUNE : United Arab Emirates price for a week

    Feature United Arab Emirates

    The multiple facets of a misjudged emirate

    The multiple facets of a misjudged emirate

    Whatever the misconceptions travellers may have about Dubai as a soul-less city, we can now confirm that this is nothing more than a myth. Dubai is one of the seven Emirates; however the Emirati population makes up less than 10% of the city's population. The rest of the population consists of expatriates from all four corners of the globe. During the ...

    More Details

    Search Now

    • - Find the best bargains
    • - Consult trip reviews in advance
    • - Book the latest deals
    Found a travel blog you like? Share it with us! Contact us